In vivo endocrine effects of naphthenic acids in fish

Oil pollution from various sources, including exploration, production and transportation, is a growing global concern. The highest toxicity of hydrocarbon pollutants is associated with the water-soluble phase compounds, including naphthenic acids, a known component found in all hydrocarbon deposits. Recently, naphthenic acids (NAs) have shown estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects in vitro. For this reason we investigated the potential effects of two commercial mixtures of naphthenic acids on fish in vivo, using the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) as a model species.     

Fitness benefits of coalitionary aggression in male chimpanzees

Coalitionary aggression occurs when at least two individuals jointly direct aggression at one or more conspecific targets. Scientists have long argued that this common form of cooperation has positive fitness consequences. Nevertheless, despite evidence that social bond strength (which is thought to promote coalition formation) is correlated with fitness in primates, cetaceans, and ungulates, few studies have directly examined whether coalitionary aggression improves reproductive success. We tested the hypothesis that among free-ranging chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii), participation in coalitionary aggression increases reproductive output. Using 14 years of genetic and behavioral data from Gombe National Park, Tanzania, we found that coalitionary aggression increased a male’s chances of (A) siring offspring, compared to other males of similar dominance rank, and (B) ascending in rank, a correlate of future reproductive output. Because male chimpanzees form coalitions with many others within a complex network, we used social network analysis to identify the types of connections correlated with these fitness benefits. The beneficiaries of coalitionary aggression were males with the highest “betweenness”—that is, those who tended to have coalition partners who themselves did not form coalitions with each other. This suggests that beyond simply recognizing third-party relationships, chimpanzees may use this knowledge to choose coalition partners. If so, this is a significant step forward in our knowledge of the adaptive value of social intelligence. Regardless of mechanism, however, this is the first evidence of genetic benefits of coalitionary aggression in this species, and therefore has important implications for understanding the evolution of cooperation.     

Applying metabolic fingerprinting to ecology: The use of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for the rapid screening of plant responses to N deposition

The potential for metabolic fingerprinting via Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to provide a novel approach for the detection of plant biochemical responses to N deposition is examined. An example of spectral analysis using shoot samples taken from an open top chamber (OTC) experiment simulating wet ammonium deposition is given. Sample preparation involved oven drying and homogenisation via mill grinding. Slurries of a consistent dilution were then prepared prior to FT-IR analysis. Spectra from control, 8 and 16 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1 treatments were then subjected to cross-validated discriminant function analysis. Ordination diagrams showed clear separation between the three N treatments examined. The potential for using Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull as a bioindicator of N deposition is further evident from these results. The results also clearly demonstrate the power of FT-IR in discriminating between subtle phenotypic alterations in overall plant biochemistry as affected by ammonium pollution.     

Household Willingness to Pay and Farmers' Willingness to Accept Compensation for Establishing a Recreational Woodland

The UK Forestry Commission's recently implemented Community Woodland scheme sets out to provide new recreational woodland facilities near to towns and cities where such resources are in short supply. This study examines household willingness to pay (WTP) for such a proposed woodland by means of the contingent valuation (CV) method. A stratified sample of 325 households in Wantage, Oxfordshire, was interviewed and asked to state both their annual and per-visit WTP. Analysis of a number of recognized potential biases suggested that the results obtained must be treated with caution although we argue that the CV provides a useful ballpark indication of preferences. A simultaneous CV survey of farmers' willingness to accept compensation for converting agricultural land into woodland proved to be far more robust, despite a small sample size. We conclude that farmers are more familiar with the concept of assessing potential compensation than are households with estimating hypothetical payments for increased provision of public goods.     

New Approaches Toward a Better Understanding of the Decline of Takahe (Porphyrio mantelli) in New Zealand

Island populations of endemic birds are known to be particularly susceptible to extinction. This paper focuses on factors behind past and present declines of the highly endangered Takahe ( Porphyrio mantelli ), a flightless rail endemic to New Zealand. Subfossil evidence indicates that Takahe were once found throughout this island nation, being most abundant along forest margins and streams in lowland regions. Their numbers have declined dramatically since human colonization about 800–1000 years ago, probably due to a combination of habitat destruction and hunting by early Polynesian settlers. Today, the wild Takahe population consists of about 100 adult birds in an isolated alpine habitat and approximately 30 individuals recently released on several small offshore islands. Despite protection and intensive management, including removal of an introduced competitor (red deer, Cervus elaphus ), the alpine population has continued to decline. In contrast, the Takahe's nearest relative, the Pukeko ( Porphyrio porphyrio ) has expanded its range across New Zealand despite heavy hunting pressure since its colonization from Australia less than 1000 years ago. We suggest that, unlike Pukeko, Takahe lack appropriate behavioral responses to cope with mammalian predators such as stoats ( Mustela erminea ), which have been introduced relatively recently by European colonists. A study comparing predator defense behavior between these two closely related species is currently underway.     

Geochemical partitioning of copper, lead, and zinc in benthic, estuarine sediment profiles

The geochemical partitioning of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) was examined in benthic sediment profiles (0- to 20-cm depth interval) composed of relatively coarse (65-90% sand-sized particles), noncohesive, suboxic material (Eh +120 to +260 mV). Total Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations ranged from 8.3 to 194, 16.3 to 74.8, and 30.1 to 220 mg/kg, respectively, and were related to vertical trends in sediment texture. The observed distribution coefficients describing solid-solution partitioning were in the range of 100 to 1000 L/kg. The geochemical partitioning of solid-phase Cu, Pb, and Zn between six operationally defined fractions was examined with a sequential extraction scheme. The association of Cu, Pb, and Zn with amorphous oxides, crystalline oxides, and organic matter was linearly dependent on the abundance of each respective phase. For retention by amorphous oxide minerals, the observed stoichiometry ranged from 5.2 to 23.7 mg/g for Cu, 12.8 to 21.5 mg/g for Pb, and 23.1 to 85.7 mg/g for Zn. Corresponding values for association with crystalline oxides were an order of magnitude less than those for amorphous oxides, indicating a lesser affinity of trace metals for crystalline oxides. The stoichiometric relationships describing association with organic matter ranged from 17.6 to 54.0 mg/g for Cu, 6.1 to 9.6 mg/g for Pb, and 6.4 to 16.4 mg/g for Zn. The results from this study provide an insight into processes controlling trace metal partitioning in coarse-textured, suboxic, estuarine sediments.